Last Friday at Envision Maine's Summit I had the opportunity to moderate a panel on how we get more workers into our region's economy. The answer from experts is simple - immigrants.

The numbers are daunting. By every measure Maine needs new workers - our old ones are retiring, and we're not making enough babies to replace them.

So where's the future workforce? For communities all around the country, the answer is sitting right in front of them: New Americans. Immigrants. People who have come here to pursue the American dream for themselves and their families. People who are often professionally educated, and always ready to learn.

It's our job as the business community to incorporate them in the workforce, and in our communities. And we need to do it now. Anyone who can find their way to the Portland region from a war-torn foreign country can move on if we don't welcome them here. And all over the country, communities are embracing new Americans as a bridge to the future. We need to do the same. Our future depends on it.